NHL Opening-Night Rosters Feature Four Spartans

Four Michigan State alumni are beginning the 2022-23 season in the National Hockey League, with one beginning their season in each of the next four days. Michigan State has sent 76 players to the National Hockey League overall.

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 06: Anaheim Ducks winger Derek Grant (38) shots the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames played on April 6, 2022 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 06: Anaheim Ducks winger Derek Grant (38) shots the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames played on April 6, 2022 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Derek Grant is an alternate captain in Anaheim, and the Ducks season begins tonight (Wednesday) against Seattle. Grant, drafted by Ottawa in 2008, left Michigan State after the 2010-11 season and made his NHL debut with the Senators during the 2012-13 campaign. He has played parts of each of the last four seasons in Anaheim and has nearly 400 NHL games to his credit.

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: Pittsburgh Penguins Defenseman Jeff Petry (26) shoots the puck during the first period in the preseason NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings on September 27, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: Pittsburgh Penguins Defenseman Jeff Petry (26) shoots the puck during the first period in the preseason NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings on September 27, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jeff Petry is beginning his first season in Pittsburgh after an off-season trade from Montreal. Beginning his 14^th season in the NHL, Petry was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers and spent five years there before eight in Montreal, helping the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2021. A vetran of 803 NHL games, Petry has been a top-four defenseman in the league and will begin his season with the Penguins on Thursday against Arizona.

Mason Appleton returns to Winnipeg in 2021-22, coming back to the team which drafted him in 2015 and he spent his first four professional seasons. He was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft prior to 2021-22, but returned to Winnipeg via trade last March. Beginning his fifth NHL season (and sixth as a pro), Appleton and the Jets open on Friday against the Rangers.

Torey Krug starts his season with the St. Louis Blues Saturday against Columbus. Krug is starting his 11^th professional season and third in St. Louis after he spent his first eight professional seasons in Boston, signing as a free agent at the end of his junior season. Krug has played 638 professional games in his career, reaching the Stanley Cup finals in 2013 and 2019.

A total of 71 former Big Ten hockey players and 244 former NCAA standouts overall are listed on opening-night rosters.

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